baltimoreblast.com

BLAST SIGNS LOCAL GOALKEEPER
Team to Face Syracuse in Season Opener on November 12

Baltimore Blast President and General Manager Kevin Healey announced that the team has signed goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, a local product out of Loyola Blakefield, pending league approval. The Blast began training camp yesterday and will open the season on November 12 against the Syracuse Silver Knights at 1st Mariner Arena.

Fitzgerald, the 2005 Maryland Player of the Year, was a three-time All-Metro selection and a four-year letterwinner at Loyola Blakefield before playing collegiate soccer at Wake Forest. He was named Second-Team All-ACC in 2010, was a two-time All-ACC Academic selection and was a member of the Demon Deacon's NCAA Championship team in 2007. Fitzgerald, who spent the 2011 summer season with the NASL Carolina RailHawks, remains among Wake Forest's all-time goalkeeper leaders in minutes played, goals against average, save percentage and saves.

“I am happy to be able to announce Akira to our 2011-12 Blast team,” said Healey. “Akira is a fine young man and an outstanding goalkeeper. We are always looking to add quality players from our area and I look forward to watching Akira grow as a professional for the Baltimore Blast.”

All Blast practices that are held at Du Burns Arena during the preseason and regular season are open to the public, with no admission fee. Practice times and location are subject to change; please call the Blast office to confirm. Blast season tickets and five-game mini plans are on sale now through the Blast office. Single-game tickets are available at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office and at all TicketMaster outlets including TicketMaster phonecharge at 410-547-SEAT. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $30, $22, $19 and $16. For additional information on Blast tickets, call the Blast at 410-73-BLAST.

The MISL season will kick off next weekend with a home-and-home series between the Wichita Wings and Missouri Comets on November 3rd and 4th and the Syracuse Silver Knights hosting the Rochester Lancers on the 4th.